How do we know that we are justified by grace?

The doctrine of justification by grace is grounded in passages such as Romans 3:24, which states that we are 'justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.' Justification means that God declares sinners righteous based on the righteousness of Christ, not on their own merit. This gift is received through faith, acknowledging our inability to achieve righteousness on our own. The publican in Luke 18 exemplifies this humility when he cries out for mercy, recognizing his sinfulness and need for God’s grace. The experience of being justified is intimately tied to the recognition of our sin and understanding of Christ’s sacrificial role as our propitiation.